From 12 – 13 October 2023, the Centre for Human Rights, Faculty of Law, University of Pretoria conducted the 2nd edition of its capacity building workshop for African civil society organisations on engagement with the African human rights system. The event took place at Murray Guest House Brooklyn, Pretoria.
The workshop brought together civil society organisations from various African countries. Its primary aim was to acquaint participants with the foundational frameworks of the African human rights system and the institutions overseeing these norms. Additionally, attendees gained insights into the practical aspects of interfacing with African human rights bodies, for purposes of promoting and protecting human rights in Africa.
Throughout the two-day workshop, structured presentations enlightened participants on core principles of international human rights, a comprehensive understanding of the African human rights system, and essential norms safeguarding vulnerable groups, notably women, children, and persons with disabilities. Significant focus was also placed on the vital role of civil society organisations in rallying national stakeholders towards safeguarding the rights of women and sexual minorities in Africa. From a practical standpoint, these discourses further explored pathways for African civil society organisations to engage with African human rights bodies, including the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child.
As part of presentations in the Capacity building workshop, Prof. Magnus Killander elucidated the historical, current, and prospective trajectory of the African Union human rights normative framework spanning a century. Prof. Nkatha Murungi, the Acting Director of the Centre for Human Rights, delineated the significance of the African human rights system in protecting specific vulnerable groups such as women, children and persons with disabilities. Inputs from Mrs Meredith Lwanga and Ms Adiam Zemenfes, representing the African Court on Human and Peoples’ Rights and the African Committee of Experts on the Rights and Welfare of the Child respectively, offered a deeper understanding of their institutions' operations and potential areas for heightened CSO collaboration. Ms Sibongile Ndashe, the Executive Director of Initiative for Strategic Litigation in Africa, presented a comprehensive perspective on African human rights bodies, detailing avenues for CSO engagement with the African Commission and discussing the ongoing institutional reforms of the African Union and their ramifications for African human rights bodies. The workshop culminated in group activities where participants strategized their potential engagement with African human rights bodies, focusing on specific national human rights issues and challenges.
The 2nd edition of the capacity building workshop for African civil society organisations on engagement with the African human rights system is one of the activities of the Centre for Human Rights under its broader project of strengthening national, regional and continental human rights and legal accountability mechanisms which is funded by the Open Society Initiative for Southern Africa (OSISA). The Capacity building workshop was organized by the Litigation and Implementation Unit of the Centre for Human Rights.
For more information, contact:
Foluso Adegalu Ruth Versfeld
Programme Manager Project officer
Litigation and Implementation Unit Litigation and Implementation Unit
Centre for Human Rights Centre for Human Rights
foluso.adegalu@up.ac.za ruth.versfeld@up.ac.za